The Convener of the Maiden Pharmacy Compounding Summit, Dr. Ugo Ben-Nwauzor, has called for renewed commitment to developing a structured compounding ecosystem in Nigeria and across Africa, describing it as a critical pathway to advancing pharmacy practice on the continent.

Dr. Ben-Nwauzor, who is the Chief Executive Officer of AirVille Health & Wellness Inc. and co-founder of the Global Alliance for Pharmacy Compounding in Africa (GAPCA), made this call during the Pharmaceutical Compounding Summit hosted by the Centre for Pharmacy Practice Innovation and Optimization (CENPITOP) in partnership with GAPCA, held on Thursday, October 9, 2025, at the Providence Hotel, Ikeja GRA, Lagos.

The event, themed “Pharmacy Compounding in Africa: Shaping the Future for Nigeria” marked the first-ever compounding summit in Nigeria, bringing together policymakers, academics, industry leaders, and practicing pharmacists from within and outside the country.

Speaking at the summit, Dr. Ben-Nwauzor emphasized that pharmaceutical compounding holds immense social and professional potential, capable of elevating the status of pharmacy both in Nigeria and the diaspora.

“South Africa happens to be the only country in Africa that has a structured compounding ecosystem,” he noted. “Pharmacists aren’t just dispensers of medication — their faces are patient-centric. Compounding gives pharmacists the power to personalize therapy, solve real-world health challenges, and reconnect with the core of our profession.”

He explained that the maiden summit represents the beginning of a long-term vision to build a reliable and sustainable compounding ecosystem across Africa, with plans to make the event biennial, rotating across African countries.

“We plan to host this summit every two years across the continent,” Dr. Ben-Nwauzor announced. “The vision is to motivate pharmacists to adopt compounding as a practice that transforms healthcare.”

During the panel discussion, Dr. Ben-Nwauzor encouraged young pharmacists to overcome fear and take bold steps into compounding practice, urging them to start small but think big.

“Compounding isn’t as complicated as people think,” he said. “Create a dedicated space, build transparency into your setup — even a simple see-through window that lets patients observe you at work builds trust. Decide your niche, stay motivated, and remember that compounding thrives in countries like the U.S., Canada, and South Africa because pharmacists there are intentional and passionate about it.”

Dr. Ben-Nwauzor reiterated that the GAPCA vision goes beyond advocacy — it aims to reshape Africa’s pharmaceutical landscape, positioning pharmacists as innovators and solution providers in patient care. He noted that the summit was not just an academic exercise but the foundation of a movement that will drive practical outcomes for regulatory reform, education, and entrepreneurship within the sector.

"Our vision is to see the pharmacy compounding ecosystem in Nigeria developed in the next five to ten years," he said. "We are already working with international partners to make this vision a reality."

He commended CENPITOP and all partners for their support in making the historic event a success and expressed optimism that Nigeria will soon join other nations with well-defined compounding standards.

What we have started here in Lagos is a spark,” he concluded. “It’s a call to action for pharmacists to reclaim their creative space in healthcare delivery — to think, innovate, and compound solutions that change lives.”